Viv vs Lara vs Smith: Who has the best series performances?

[subshakerz]

How and why would you rate the below series performances out of a scale of 10:

Lara 99 against Australia
Lara 2001 against SL

Smith 2017 against India
Smith Ashes 2019

Viv 76 against England
Viv 79/80 against Australia (386 @ 96.5 for those not familiar)

 

[Slifer]

Lara '99: 9.5/10
Viv 79/80: 8.5/10
Smith 17 India: 8/10
Lara SL 2001: 9.5/10
Smith 19/Viv 76: 8.5/10

 

[subshakerz]

Lara '99: 9.5/10
Viv 79/80: 8.5/10
Smith 17 India: 8/10
Lara SL 2001: 9.5/10
Smith 19/Viv 76: 8.5/10

Interesting. I think Smith 2017 should be up there with the rest.

I would go:

Lara '99: 9.5/10 - the best ever in terms of successive quality knocks against an ATG side
Smith 19/Viv 76/Lara SL 2001:: 9/10 - high yield series against decent quality opposition
Smith 17 India/Viv 79/80: 8.5/10 - great series against high quality attacks

 

[Slifer]

I actually think Viv's best series was pretty away to Pakistan in 1980 against a very good attack of Imran plus spin twins Qasim and Qadir. He was the batting difference between the two teams.

 

[subshakerz]

I actually think Viv's best series was pretty away to Pakistan in 1980 against a very good attack of Imran plus spin twins Qasim and Qadir. He was the batting difference between the two teams.

Yes that was a top series as well.

 

[honestbharani]

The FW series in 1999 and Lara's performance there is the greatest batting performance I have seen in a test series by a batsman by a distance. The levels they were in before that series and how good Australia were, all the in-fighting in Windies cricket etc. Just amazing. God level.

 

[Patience and Accuracy+Gut]

Smith 2019-9.94/10
Lara 99-9.5
Viv 76,Lara 2001-9
Smith 17,Viv 79/80-8.5

 

[subshakerz]

The FW series in 1999 and Lara's performance there is the greatest batting performance I have seen in a test series by a batsman by a distance. The levels they were in before that series and how good Australia were, all the in-fighting in Windies cricket etc. Just amazing. God level.

Yeah I agree. To produce three ATG-level knocks in a row was next level.

I would say I have don't think I saw McGrath bowl as well as he did in that series too. He was relentless, but Lara was better.

 

[Burgey]

Lara’s 1999 performance was probably the best single handed batting performance I’ve ever seen given the attack he faced. Smith’s 2019 would be second.

 

[ankitj]

So Lara's 1999 series against Australia the greatest batting series ever? May be one of Bradman's series can rival?

For bowling, Harbhajan takes the honour quite unambiguously IMO.

 

[subshakerz]

So Lara's 1999 series against Australia the greatest batting series ever? May be one of Bradman's series can rival?

For bowling, Harbhajan takes the honour quite unambiguously IMO.

Not for me. Imran against India in 82 and Hadlee against Australia in 85 are strong contenders.

 

[subshakerz]

Lara’s 1999 performance was probably the best single handed batting performance I’ve ever seen given the attack he faced. Smith’s 2019 would be second.

I think Viv in 76 is slightly better than Smith's Ashes given the attacks.

 

[Burgey]

Arguably yeah. No complaints if it was regarded higher.

 

[ankitj]

Not for me. Imran against India in 82 and Hadlee against Australia in 85 are strong contenders.

Neither were against world beater teams on a 15-16 test win streak.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

For bowling, Harbhajan takes the honour quite unambiguously IMO.

1956 Ashes (5 tests)
Laker 46 wickets at 9.6

 

[subshakerz]

Neither were against world beater teams on a 15-16 test win streak.

Fair enough but Harbi only really performed in a couple of tests unlike the others who had longer streaks. Plus he was at home unlike Hadlee and on more supportive pitches unlike Imran.

 

[honestbharani]

Fair enough but Harbi only really performed in a couple of tests. Plus he was at home unlike Hadlee and on more supportive pitches unlike Imran.

That Chennai track in 2001 was as flat as a pancake tbh. Funnily, the most supportive pitch he had was probably Mumbai where our batsmen let him down.

 

[subshakerz]

That Chennai track in 2001 was as flat as a pancake tbh. Funnily, the most supportive pitch he had was probably Mumbai where our batsmen let him down.

In Mumbai Harbi was threatening to run through Australia until Gilly showed up.

Chennai the pitch broke up a bit towards the end I recall, no? Regardless was a brilliant showing.

 

[Burgey]

Fair enough but Harbi only really performed in a couple of tests unlike the others who had longer streaks. Plus he was at home unlike Hadlee and on more supportive pitches unlike Imran.

Harby’s 01 series was brilliant thoigh. Basically won it for India, Laxman and Dravid’s heroics nws

Terry Alderman’s two Ashes in England were both top shelf, especially 89 when he didn’t have Lillee at the other end

 

[honestbharani]

In Mumbai Harbi was threatening to run through Australia until Gilly showed up.

Chennai the pitch broke up a bit towards the end I recall, no? Regardless was a brilliant showing.

Nah we were lollapsing until Dighe lolled us out of it but that was a flat track and that 4th innings chase should have been a cakewalk. It was the 4th innings jitters + some good bowling and great fielding by Aussies that made it that close.